KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 5 — A total 261,000 spectators attended the Formula One Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia; a new attendance record, said Sepang International Circuit (SIC).
The venue management in a statement said the number of spectators was confirmed by Bahrain International Circuit chief executive Sheikh Salman Isa Al Khalifa.
This includes the 103,000 fans who attended yesterday’s race.
Sheikh Salman in the same statement said the F1 platform was an opportunity to showcase Bahrain’s culture and hospitality to fans across the region at the iconic Malaysian circuit.
“Over 260,000 fans came to witness the biggest event ever held at Sepang International Circuit and we are truly grateful to them for bringing their passion and energy,” he said in a statement.
The number surpassed the previous 126,690 spectators recorded for the 2008 Malaysian GP.
In July, Malaysia was declared host of the Bahrain GP from October 2 to 4 following an agreement between Formula One, the International Automobile Federation (FIA) and the Malaysian and Bahraini governments.
The agreement helped keep the Bahrain GP on the F1 calendar after the race was called off earlier in the season due to geopolitical tensions in West Asia.
SIC hosted the Malaysian GP from 1999 until 2017.
